Committee approves 2025 e-waste and hazardous-waste agreements, authorizes county seal for SB 1394 fact sheet

The Champaign County Board Environment and Land Use Committee approved a package of agreements and actions to support residential electronic- and household-hazardous-waste (HHW) collections in 2025 and signaled support for state legislation to shift producer responsibility for HHW to manufacturers.

Committee members voted to approve intergovernmental cost-sharing agreements with the cities of Champaign and Urbana and the village of Savoy for residential electronic-collection and household-hazardous-waste collection events in 2025, and to authorize a related rental agreement for the State Farm Center parking lot for a one-day HHW event on Aug. 9, 2025. The panel also approved a GRAMA agreement between Champaign County, Parkland College and 18 recyclers to host electronic-collection events May 17 and Oct. 11, 2025, and approved the county’s opt-in to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) manufacturer e-waste program for 2026. Finally, the committee authorized use of the Champaign County seal on an informational fact sheet supporting SB 1394, the extended producer responsibility bill for household hazardous waste.

Why it matters: the approvals set specific collection dates and venues for 2025, preserve county participation in statewide e-waste programs, and show the county’s public backing for SB 1394. Committee members and a public participant said the measures are intended to increase convenience for residents, reduce local government costs, and shift long-term financial responsibility to manufacturers.

Key approvals and discussion

Intergovernmental cost-sharing agreements (resolution 8.a) John Hall, staff member, said the city of Urbana requested a non-substantive labeling change on table 4.1 to indicate which events occur on which dates; the committee approved the agreements with that change. The committee chair called the motion, and members voted to pass the resolution.

GRAMA agreement with Parkland College and recyclers (resolution 8.b) The committee approved a grant/reciprocal agreement to host electronic-collection events on May 17 and Oct. 11, 2025. One committee member warned the designated fund for collections will be depleted by the end of 2025 even after a fee increase, and said the county will need a plan for 2026 funding.

Opt-in to IEPA manufacturer e-waste program (resolution 8.c) The committee approved opting in to the IEPA’s manufacturer e-waste program for 2026. A committee member asked whether opting in commits the county to specific dates in 2026; staff said the opt-in notifies IEPA of interest but specific reservations and event planning for 2026 have not yet been made.

State Farm Center parking-lot rental for HHW (resolution 8.d) The committee authorized renting the State Farm Center parking lot for an Illinois EPA-sponsored one-day HHW event on Aug. 9, 2025. Staff reported the venue has increased rates for two consecutive years; committee members said the site remains a reliable partner despite rising fees. Staff also reported that Parkland College declined to host HHW collections, citing concerns about wear, spills and liability.

Use of county seal to support SB 1394 (resolution 8.e) The committee voted to authorize use of the Champaign County seal on a fact sheet supporting SB 1394, which would require extended producer responsibility (EPR) for household hazardous waste. Susan Monte, speaking during public participation and later during the SB 1394 discussion, described EPR as a mandatory product-stewardship model that requires manufacturers doing retail business in Illinois to participate in and fund collection programs. "A convenience standard would be remarkable — at least one permanent collection site within a 15-mile radius for 60% of state residents," Monte said. She said EPR reduces costs for local governments and increases convenience and education for consumers.

Concerns and next steps

Committee members flagged two operational concerns: (1) the county’s event fund may be depleted by scheduling multiple collections in 2025, and (2) rising venue fees at the State Farm Center. Staff and a public participant encouraged continued outreach to Parkland College about hosting events; Parkland administrators have so far declined because of liability and surface-wear concerns.

All five action items on the consent agenda were approved at the committee meeting and will be forwarded to the full County Board for final acceptance or ratification as required.

Ending: The committee closed the item list after the votes and designated the resolutions to the consent agenda for the County Board."